Nothing much of an update other than I have finally gotten the cycling off to a good start.
I did end up using the Dr. Tim's that was included, nothing. Several weeks go by, Nothing. All I have been able to figure out after only a spot or two of 'ugly' is that the one included was quite stale and dead.
Contacted help (which was answered by
BRS, which I was already trusting) and they pointed me in a lot more detailed instructions. I still think the HelloReef kit was worth it to get a newbie's feet wet but the classes need more depth and I took their suggestion to not over-research probably a bit too far.
I'm a compulsive researcher, so I should have taken the middle road. The people at
BRS are great though. I ended up buying another bottle of the same from an
Amazon seller with a good reputation, money back guarantee of a live product. Added it and got to the ugly phase within a couple of days.
The HelloReef downplays testing, does not even mention it until 'weeks' later in the classes. So I am going to be using Hannah Instruments tests so I do not have to rely on reading color. I am not colorblind but I am old and have worn glasses for over 60 years, eyes are just plain old not great.
So, I've done nothing. I'm going to be learning how to use the testing over the weekend, that seems overwhelming. I also hear, read, and know from experience that only the learning and first few times are even a thing. After learning it, with repetition it will being nothing at all.
I'm good with patience, All I have researched is that this part can take as long as it takes. Longer is probably even better. Not hurting anything because I have added nothing live. Hell, for all I know I might be done after getting these first readings and it's been doing it's job great just leaving things be..
Looking forward to building a cuc, starting small and steady, not all of them at once. And not a huge number either. The courses are suggesting a lot right off the bat, 5 hermits, 10 snails, 1 Skunk Cleaner shrimp, 2 Peppermint or Fire Reds, and an urchin.
Only thing I'm pretty much decided on is a Tuxedo Urchin, a Skunk shrimp, 5 hermits, and 5 Trochus snails. Carnivorous snails, don't know yet and other shrimp the same. Welcome to any suggestions as to which of those to get or anything else that might be useful. Fun is good too, I've thought about sexy shrimp because of their antics. I am planning on adding an Emerald crab too.
Nothing else anytime soon, although fish wise I'm going to start with just a couple of non-fancy clowns. Just not until the cuc are good and settled and the tank has been stable for a while.
I don't even have anything in there and I am still clucking after it like an old mother hen, lol. This has been great so far for it's intended purpose, taking my mind off. No pets because the house is torn up preparing it to be wheelchair ready and now it doesn't have to be so I am in limbo trying to decide whether or not to continue, go back, or pitch it all and move. This is helping a lot. 31st Anniversary was 4/8 and 4/10 was six months since the other half died. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has taken the plunge to deal with life changing events.
